Glenn Withers

Glenn Withers serves as a Visiting Professor of Economics at UNSW Canberra's School of Business and holds the position of Honorary Professor at the Australian National University. His distinguished career spans academic, governmental, and organizational leadership roles across Australia and internationally.

Withers earned his education at Monash University and Harvard University, and has held academic appointments at prestigious institutions including Harvard and Cambridge. He has served as CEO of Universities Australia and Professor of Public Policy at ANU and the Australia and New Zealand School of Government.

Professor Withers' research spans applied economics, public policy, immigration systems, higher education economics, and labor economics. His work demonstrates a consistent focus on policy-relevant economic analysis with practical applications for government and society. His research shows particular strength in connecting economic theory with real-world policy implementation, especially in the Australian context.

His recent publications reveal a broad interdisciplinary approach spanning economics, education, migration studies, and technology. Withers has consistently addressed critical national issues through his research, particularly focusing on immigration policy design, higher education economics, and regional development. His work demonstrates evolution from traditional economic analysis toward more complex interdisciplinary studies incorporating technology, social policy, and global perspectives.

• Order of Australia for services to applied economics, including for design of the Australian immigration points system

Professor Withers has extensive advisory experience across multiple sectors, having chaired important Australian government bodies including the National Population Council and the Economic Planning Advisory Commission. He has led various public inquiries and played a foundational role in establishing key institutions including the Productivity Commission, the Crawford School, ANZSOG, and Universities Australia. His advisory work extends internationally to organizations such as the OECD and UNDP, as well as to private sector entities like the North West Shelf Consortium and the Business Council of Australia.